It’s a good time for fitness enthusiasts in India. There’s a rise in the number of women signing up for fitness classes. And while we’re jumping on the bandwagon – yoga, zumba, CrossFit and so on – I’m here to make a case for Pilates, a fairly new-age form of physical exercise when compared with forms like Yoga and Aerobics.
Did You Know?
Pilates is a unique training system which was developed by Joseph Pilates during the First World War, when he was given the job of an orderly at a hospital. He worked to help the injured soldiers exercise whatever they could move, and he helped them get better faster and, in turn, fend off secondary infections that killed so many people in similar circumstances. When he moved to New York he worked with dancers, athletes and people from all walks of life; helping them achieve their fitness goals.
So, that’s what Pilates is all about, in a gist. It helps you stay fit, fluid and healthy – from the inside – while it keeps your body well-toned on the exterior. Pilates is an exercise for your core that keeps you looking and feeling good. And if that’s not enough, here’s six additional reasons why you should definitely consider opting for a Pilates class regularly.
1. A Sound Body & Mind
Pilates focuses on engaging the mind and body with special heed given to one’s breathing patterns and proper form to create efficient movement. Pilates should be practiced by everyone between the ages of 10 to 100; men and women, alike.
2. The Balancing Act
It is especially essential that every woman practice this beautiful system of exercise as it strengthens the core, improves one’s balance, increases coordination and decreases stress. According to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, women were said to have strengthened their rectus abdominis (the muscle responsible for six-packs) by an average of 21 percent, while eliminating muscle imbalances between the right and left sides of their cores; just after 36 weeks of Pilates’ training.
3. Fully Functional
Every exercise has an element of strength and stretch designed within it and when you walk out of a pilates class you will feel stronger and more balanced. The exercises are functional and designed to help you perform better in every aspect of your life, whether you’re an athlete, dancer, housewife, or corporate-sector worker. Pilates is known to build confidence and self-worth in an individual because it works on one’s posture and inner balance.
4. A Better Life
The exercises are low impact on the joints and focus on helping you learn to move better so the benefits are felt in one’s everyday life. The Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy observed that people suffering from chronic lower back pain, who practised Pilates just for 4 weeks, regularly, felt more relief than those who visited physicians. Because pilates is known to eliminate stress from the lumbar-pelvic (lower-back) region, you may never have to go back to a doctor again; provided you continue with the exercises.
5. Pleasure Proof
Some of the biggest motivators for working out include staying fit, looking toned and performing better in the bedroom. Pilates ticks off all three boxes! Your pelvic floor muscle training is essentially doing kegels; thereby strengthening the pelvic floor muscles that lead – but are not limited – to enhancing your performance in bed and even give way to better orgasms for women.
6. Mom’s The Word
Pilates is also great for women who are trying to conceive as it helps you focus on your balance and core strength. You should know that a strong pelvic muscle helps in a smoother birthing process as it makes it relatively easier to push the baby out. Doing pilates is just as good post pregnancy as it helps you to regain your stamina and become stronger faster.
To sum it up, everyone should do pilates; especially women, as the benefits are countless.
About Yasmin Karachiwala:
As the woman behind teh sculpted and glamorous bodies of many of Bollywood’s best known divas, Yasmin Karachiwala has a strong claik to the title of India’s leadidng fitness coach. With more than 2 decades of epxerience in the fitness and wellness industry, she knows how to weave magic with every body type and transform it to its fittest in the most natural and safest way possible.
Yasmin is all set to curate India’s first Pilates Festival, over a period of 4 days starting on 25th January 2018 at Atmantan Wellness Centre, Pune, Mumbai the festival will bring together the leading Master Pilates Trainers from around the world, who are coming to India for the very first time only to give enthusiasts an insight into the Pilates method. The list put together by Yasmin Karachiwala includes Portia Paige, Ann Toran, Errol Toran, Valentin and BijayAnand.
Image Courtesy: Shutterstock/Unsplash
